The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced that Brisbane will host one of the Wallabies' three Tests against the British & Irish Lions in 2013.

The announcement of a 10-year Test schedule agreed with the Queensland Government also revealed that that Bledisloe Cup Tests will be staged in Brisbane every time Australia - on an annual rotation with New Zealand - stages three Tri-Nations games. On the occasions that the All Blacks do not visit Suncorp Stadium, the Springboks will be in town instead.

In addition, Brisbane will host the opening Test of the Wallabies' annual June internationals against touring sides from the northern hemisphere.

ARU Managing Director and CEO John O'Neill commented: "When you look at the Super Rugby final being sold out and the prospect that the Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane on August 27 will follow suit when tickets go on sale on July 19, the Queensland sporting public has stepped up to the plate to support our game.

"While there were other factors that needed to be considered before entering this arrangement with Events Queensland, ARG Ogden and Stadiums Queensland, it was also clear that we need to reward and encourage our Queensland fan base to continue supporting the Wallabies.

"Queensland is an undeniable heartland of Rugby and to that extent we also think the time is right to take Test Rugby to the Gold Coast. We have relocated the Australian leg of the IRB Sevens World Series to the Gold Coast and believe Test Rugby will also thrive in that market.

"Gold Coast has a wonderful stadium and a sporting audience prepared to turn out for major events. We consider taking a Test in the expanded Tri Nations series to the Gold Coast next year to fit that criteria perfectly.

"Argentina were semi-finalists at the last Rugby World Cup and their entry into the expanded Tri-Nations next year alongside Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is already highly anticipated."